YearToAvoid

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 47 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 41,300 miles. No related recall covers this area. The most common pattern is water leaking through the rear windshield/brake light area into the trunk and cabin.

Structure & Body complaints
47
6% of 837
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
41,300 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Water leaks through the rear windshield and third brake light seal, soaking the trunk, spare tire area, and rear carpet, sometimes causing mold or mildew smell.
  • Water enters through the quarter panel glass and rear windshield junction after car washes or rain, pooling in the trunk and interior.
  • Driver seat bottom or power seat mechanism becomes loose or develops wiring problems, in one case linked to a seat burn.
  • Squeaking or rattling noises come from the rear of the vehicle at various speeds with no dashboard warning lights.
  • One owner reported the dash repeatedly prompting to shift into park even after the vehicle was already parked and turned off.

When 2016 Chevrolet Malibu body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 3, 2016, latest Sep 27, 2025.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2016Jun 2018Jan 2019Oct 2019Sep 2020Apr 2021Jun 2023
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2016 to Sep 2025; peak Aug 2018 (3).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201079 (6%)
  2. 201158 (6%)
  3. 201253 (6%)
  4. 201347 (6%)
  5. 201418 (5%)
  6. 201522 (8%)
  7. 201647 (6%)
  8. 201724 (3%)
  9. 20189 (1%)
  10. 20193 (2%)
  11. 20202 (1%)
  12. 20213 (3%)
  13. 20222 (2%)
  14. 20232 (3%)
  15. 20242 (5%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 47 complaints in this category for the 2016 model year, making up 6% of all 837 complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Malibu's body or water leak issues?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Structure & Body complaints on the 2016 Malibu.
At what mileage do these body problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2016 Malibu is 41,300 miles.
What is the most common body complaint on the 2016 Malibu?
Water leaking into the trunk and cabin through the rear windshield or third brake light seal appears repeatedly in owner complaints.
Were there any crashes, fires, or injuries linked to these complaints?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire tied to Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Malibu, with 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.